Fall River Assisted Living Facility Cited for Mistreatment Before Fatal Fire Killing 10

The Gabriel House assisted-living facility in Fall River, Massachusetts, where a fire killed 10 people earlier this month, had its operating license suspended twice over the past 15 years due to resident mistreatment and regulatory violations. The most recent suspension in 2016 stemmed from a certified nursing assistant's mistreatment of residents, leading to a month-long certification loss and a ban on accepting new residents until corrective actions were taken. State records reveal nearly two dozen complaints over the last decade, including allegations of abuse, neglect, staff misconduct, medication mismanagement, broken elevators trapping residents for hours, and unsanitary conditions such as rodents and bed bugs. Preliminary investigations suggest the fire may have been linked to medical oxygen and cigarettes, despite a no-smoking policy that was reportedly not enforced. The tragedy has drawn attention to the lack of regulatory oversight for assisted-living facilities that often serve vulnerable populations, prompting state officials and lawmakers to consider reforms. Governor Maura Healey has emphasized that a state commission is currently working on recommendations to improve safety and oversight in such facilities.